A SPECTACULAR twilight aerial display will get this year's Illuminate Festival off to a flying start in historic Harwich.

The festival, a celebration of the town’s heritage – and in particular its links to The Mayflower ship which carried the first Pilgrims to America – will return this year after a break forced by Covid-19.

This year Illuminate will be held in March, instead of its usual calendar slot in November to tie in with Thanksgiving, to kick-start a packed events programme in Harwich.

Alex Porter, Tendring Council's cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said the event was one not to be missed.

“Showcasing both the amazing heritage in Harwich, and its strong community spirit, Illuminate Festival is a must-see in the events calendar,” he said.

“After our forced absence due to Covid, I am glad that the festival is returning to kick-start a year of fantastic events, with Illuminate’s lights, fun and festivities what better way to welcome in 2022.

“Our thanks go to the many and varied community partners helping us to put on this fantastic event.”

The event will run from 6pm until 9.30pm on Friday, March 25.

More details are expected to be released in the coming weeks, but it is expected to include the return of crowd favourites such as the Spark! drummers, flights, street entertainment and a torchlight procession.

Illuminate Festivals have been held by destinations across the world linked by the Mayflower story.

The theme is inspired by the words of William Bradford, a Mayflower passenger elected as the settlers’ first governor, who wrote “Just as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many”.

Harwich was not only home to the Mayflower, which was registered at the port, but several of the crew were residents of the town including the ship’s master and co-owner Christopher Jones – whose house still stands in Kings Head Street.

Mr Porter added: “Harwich’s links to The Mayflower are extraordinary, and tangible, and definitely to be both celebrated and enjoyed.”

The Harwich Illuminate Festival saw an estimated 6,000 visitors across two days of activities in 2019.